Every line of examination of time, place, and circumstances proves the falsehood of the mythical theory, and establishes the truth of the gospel history.
The authenticity of the gospel history, and of the Apostolic Epistles is confirmed by the testimony of their enemies.

It is a well-authenticated and undeniable fact, that, in the close of the second century, Celsus, an Epicurean philosopher, wrote a work against Christianity, entitled, "The Word of Truth," in which he quotes passages from the New Testament, and so many of them, that from the fragments of his work which remain, we could gather all the principal facts of the birth, teaching, miracles, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, if the New Testament should be lost.

If Paine quotes the New Testament to ridicule it, no man can deny that such a book was in existence at the time he wrote.

If he takes the pains to write a book to confute it, it is self-evident that it is in circulation, and possessed of influence.

So Celsus' attempt to reply to the Gospels, and his quotations from them, are conclusive proofs that these books were generally circulated and believed, and held to be of authority at the time he wrote.